Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-09
AMERICAN PARTY.
The Address and Declaration of Princi
pIes Adopted at SAN Francico.

ted:
The American party, called into exist |
ence TO repel the invasion OF dangerous en- |
emies that threaten the safety of the coun- |
try and who imperil the existence of repub- |
lican government within its borders, makes |
no apology for its organization. 1t IS the |
party of national defense, called upon to per- |
form duties which through cowardice and |
Indifference have been avoided by both the |
great historical parties of the country. The |
institutions of our country are in danger OF
being destroyed by class of alien people
who are ignorant of their cost and inditfer-
ent to their value. They have taken violent
possession of the ballot-box and assumed
control and management of the political
offices of the nation. Criminals, paupers,
vagabonds and political adventures are
swarming to the country in dangerous
numbers, till, emboldened by their strength.
they have combined to direct and control
our political affairs. Encouraged by rival
political interests, anxious to secure their
political support, they are aided by corrupt
practices to become electors Jealous parti
zans and corrupt party Judges aid them in
tn ir criminal Efforts to break the laws
in their haste to become citizens, and when
enrolled as such they are encouraged by RI
val parties to d mand posse sion of official
positions, the duties of which they are
mentally and morally unqualified to dis
charge. To such an extent have these
practices been carried that we find
the land infested with an igno-
rant and criminal foreign population
which has become dangerous to the
welfare of the country, bringing ignorance
to our judicial bench, and Generalization
to every branch of our Government The
respectable, native-bor American citizens,
and the respectable and honorable class of
intelligent, adopted foreign-born citizens
deem it necessary to combine, for the pur-
pose of self-defense and for the preserva-
ton of Republican Government, into po-
tliticai party. The first object of this party
rs patriotism; to preserve the institutions
of the country from destruction, and 10
maintain the laws from violation by this
incursion of European barbariaps, and to
maintain order and good government in
the country is the primary object of the
American party. We invite to this organ
ization all intelligent and honorable men
OF all nationalities, all religious beliefs,
and from all parties and all sections of our
country. This party Of the people has no
leaders as yet, it is an army of fighting
men in process of organization, awaiting
recruits in order to observe who OF the
rank, and file shall first display in action
the genius and courage to entitle then to
pIolhOtlOu lTOlu Tie TduhS W Tue TeSpOll-
sibility and authority of command. This
Convention is for the purpose of organiza-
ton and enlightenment. All honest citi-
zens, of whatever nationality or religion,
who are Americans in sentiment, acknowl-
edgiDg their first allegiance to the laws
and Constitution of the Government of
the United States, are entitled to enroll
ment in its ranks, and to participation in
all the honors and offices, except that of
the President, that may come from its tri-
umphs and its victories. Am ricans of
alien birth who recognize obedience to the
laws and fealty to the Constitution as their
first and paramount duty, and, with honest
purpose, have foresworn their civil allegi-
ance to all foreign political powers, civil and
ecclesiastical, are entitled, in alliance with
Americans of native birth to rule America
This republican commonwealth has for the
underlying principles of its government
that the majority must rule. All citizens
have equal voice in the enactment of laws,
III tie so'ootio:i vi magistrates cd in
choice of all executive and administrative
officers. 1t therefore follows that all must
yield unquestioned obedience to the laws
so long as they are rightfully administered
and until they are legally changed. Labor
has no right outside of the law. Wealth
has no prerogatives above it. The rights
of individuals are higher than the privilege
of classes. Freedom of opinion and its
proper expression is sacred. The owner
ship of property is inviolable.
This Convention, called for the purpose
of organizing an American party in the
State of California, declares itself i'll favor
of the following principles:
First-All citizens of native birth, and all
who have become citizens by adoption, who
are of good moral character, and who are
loyal to the Government of the United
States of America, and obedient to the
laws, who, as native citizens, acknowledge
no other or higher authority than the Con-
stitution of the United States and the Con-
stitution OF the State in which they reside
and who, by the process of naturalization,
have in good faith foresworn their allegi-
ance to every civil and ecclesiastical author
ity of foreign character, are entitled to
become members of the American party,
to equal participation in all of its privi-
leges, and to partake of all its benefits.
Second-The American party is in favor
of so amending the laws of immigration as
to prevent the coming to our shores of all
aliens who are criminals or paupe-s, of all
who are not of a moral character, intel
lectual capacity and physical health to
give assurance of their value as citizens;
and in favor of restricting the importation
of all laborers under contract of hire in
any industrial or mechanical pursuit.
Third-The American party is in favor
of the immediate and unconditional repeal
of all naturalization laws, reserving The
rights of all who have in good faith de-
clared their intention of becoming Ameri-
can citizens, allowing them to complete
their legal process of naturalization. There
shall be no interference with our present
non-sectarian free-schools system of educa-
ton; no interference by any church or re-
ligious organization in the politics of the
country there shall be no connection of
any character whatever between church and
State, and all political controversies OF
whatever character, existing in other coun-
tries, shall not become the subject of agita-
ton or consideration in the United States
of America.
Fourtb-The nonresident alien shall not
be entitled TO own lands in the United
States, nor permitted to receive the same
by inheritance and none but citizens shall
be authorized to acquire title to any part of
the public domain, or to the enjoyment
use, or occupancy of the same.
Fiftl-Laws shall be passed compelling
all citizens to exercise the privilege of the
elective franchise, providing penalties for
the avoiding or non-performance of that
duty. All labor organizations or trade
unions outside the law, or which under
taxes 10 Df1DS ABOUT results vi All uuidNlui
character, should be discountenanced, and
by every lawful means discouraged.
Sixth-Every American citizen is emit
tied to obtain labor, or follow any indus
trial pursuit, without the interference or
hindrance of any illegal organization, and
every American boy or girl :has the right
to be apprenticed to any trade, or to follow
any lawful calling, without the hindrance
or dictation of any trade-union or mechan-
ical guild.
Seventh-The boycott is an alien and
cowardly device, the growth and transplant
of foreign soil, and shall find no favor or
indulgence by an American party.
The American party of the State of Cali
fornia, composed of the better and higher
elements of American civilization, en-
bracing the intelligence, the moral excel |
lence and the patriotism of that portion of
the American people residing in this State,
does not think it necessary, at this period
of its organization, to take issue or define |
its position upon all questions of public |
importance that are now being considered. !
TIE an, harS rnuS+ ril.y differ TnO0